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- July 17, 2024
July 17, 2024
KBR buys LinQuest, Advana recompete, Mint needs a moneymaker, Deloitte $2.4B workforce win, AFRL’s new TEO, VOSB contract preference
GovBrew
July 17, 2024
QUICK HITS
CIO-SP3 and CIO-SP3-SB are formally extended: Through April 2025 due to protests.
House passes VOSB contract preference program: The new VOSB goal would be “not less than” 5% of the SDVOSB goal.
Hear ye, hear ye: The DHS will be giving out $4B in grant opportunities to startups through its SBIR program.
FAR Part 49: Learn more about the “Termination of Contracts” in this Friday’s webinar.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Pentagon’s generative AI force: There are so many questions that we need answers to.
What more can generative AI do? Right now, the possibilities seem endless. Currently, Task Force Lima is evaluating generative AI capabilities within the DOD with the goal of assisting officials in formulating guidelines and identifying infrastructure needs for cutting-edge technologies. In addition to developing guidelines for the Pentagon’s use of Gen-AI, Task Force Lima will also help inform CDAO’s understanding of the systems needed to power and maintain the tools. Read more
NGAD plan overhaul: New design—coming soon!
USAF wants to save its new sixth-generation stealth fighter. It's relying on it to drive the move to adaptive propulsion. By considering an engine that’s only a bit more advanced than the F-22’s Pratt & Whitney F119, they could reduce costs significantly while maintaining a highly capable fighter. Is this really a good way to solve the budget problem? Read more
Related: USAF to give NGAD contracts amid delays and uncertainties.
CDAO recruits companies for CJADC2 expansion: “We’re trying to be easier to work with.”
A select team was picked across the DOD to make an operational version of the CJADC2—Pentagon’s all-service, AI-enhanced command-and-control system. At the start, the rapid development of the “minimum viable” version was facilitated by limiting its technology choices to a select group of approximately two dozen companies—now, over a hundred vendors can use it. Read more
ICYMI:
FAA offered Boeing a $2B present; certification flights begin on 777x.
Cyber strategies? Some DOD IT Programs don’t have it.
Heads up: DOD will be recompeting the Advana contract.
NC3 space systems has critical modernization problems.
Defense Contract Awards
Laurel Technologies Partnership (DRS Laurel) won a $417M Navy hardware solutions contract.
HII bagged a $78M USN Quality of Life Improvements contract.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics was awarded a Navy F-35 Tech Upgrade deal.
KBR’s DOD Counter-IT contract is worth as much as $52M.
BAE was awarded a $738M VLS Cannisters deal.
Follow the Defense Leaders
A Brigadier General is now AFRL’s new TEO.
OshKosh has a new VP.
Intelligent Waves promoted their VP of Talent to CPO.
DOD’s space policy shop: New leaders and a lot of vacant chairs.
Defense Job Openings
OSD wants an Air Warfare Cost Analysis Division Director.
USAF needs a Director of Protocol.
ANGU is seeking a Force Support Director.
ACC is hiring a Contract Specialist.
CHART
Army budget requests by modernization priority, FY2021 through 2024. From GAO’s report, “Army Modernization: Actions Needed to Support Fielding New Equipment.” July 2024.
INTEL COMMUNITY
Prior to the assassination attempt, the Secret Service had increased protections due to an Iranian threat.
The U.S. Secret Service in recent weeks had increased Former-POTUS’s security detail due to intelligence indicating there was an Iranian threat to assassinate the former president. The sources have suggested Iran has been making these types of threats since the assassination of Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. Read more
Related: Here’s how some federal agencies are responding to the assassination attempt.
ICYMI:
NSA has released the final Zero Trust CSI.
Former CIA foreign policy specialist and NSC member accused of acting as a spy for South Korea.
ODNI wants an IARPA Office of Analysis Office Director.
DIA is seeking a Supervisory IO (Open Source Intelligence).
ODNI needs a Deputy National Intelligence Officer.
CIVILIAN
FAA implements contingency system after the 2023 outage.
In 2023, FAA contractors unintentionally deleted files while updating a database, causing an outage in the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system. This disruption led to a nationwide ground stop and flight delays. The agency now has a backup system ready for sending notices. The system has been updated. Read more
We hate robocalls! FCC to consider new protections against AI-generated robocalls next month.
The FCC next month will decide whether to pursue efforts to formally define AI-generated calls and adopt new rules that would direct callers to disclose to consumers if they are using AI in such conversations. It would also seek to maintain “positive” use cases where an AI-powered voice can help people with disabilities use their phones. The agency’s rules won’t stop robocalls, but it might help make them less dodgy. Read more
The DOE’s AI for science roadmap is BOLD and FASST.
DOE wants to be AI-ready! The agency will revamp its scientific data repositories at its user facilities with the goal of creating highly energy-efficient AI supercomputers in mind. The national AI capability will be made to make way for U.S. researchers and scientists' development of reliable foundational AI models for scientific and energy-related applications. Read more
ICYMI:
VA tool suspended: $665 in revenue not collected.
With no OMB modernization guidance, FedRAMP’s future is uncertain.
Emobi and Autocrypt unveil a AI-powered Plug & Charge EV Charging Ecosystem.
CentinelOne collaborates with CISA to strengthen government-wide cyber defense.
Commerce CHCO charts bright path for Gen-AI applications.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Deloitte bagged a $2.4B GSA Submarine Workforce and Industrial Base Support Services deal.
Federal Resources Corporation got a $6.1M OCIO Email Security Services contract.
Thorben Consulting was awarded a $5M DOI DevOps Support deal.
Dynamo Technologies won a $2M DOJ Fleet Management Support Services contract.
Follow Civilian Leaders
A professor was chosen to be the VA’s Digital Services Chief.
SAIC has a new CTO and MAS Leader.
PTG International VP is now its President.
Former Deloitte specialist is now Booz Allen Hamilton’s CSA.
Civilian Job Openings
DOJ is looking a Deputy Assistant Director.
DOE is seeking a Principal Deputy Director.
IRS wants a Talent Acquisition Director.
Wanna make actual moolah? US Mint is hiring a Deputy Plant Manager.
M&A CORNER
KBR Acquires Linquest.
KBR has completed the acquisition of Madison Dearborn Partners portfolio company, LinQuest Corporation. The transaction is subject to a number of regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Read more
ICYMI:
HashiCorp shareholders OK merger deal with IBM.
Airbus and Thales explore tie-up of space activities.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Thirsty in space? NASA’s spacesuits can convert your pee into drinkable H2O in just 5 minutes.
Like Chani on Arrakis in Dune, it seems our astronauts will also be quenching their thirst by drinking their recycled urine. At present, astronauts have only one liter of water in their in-suit drink bags. This amount is inadequate for extended lunar spacewalks, which can last for 10 to 24 hours. Can the new "stillsuit" system solve their hydration problems? Read more
South Korea will use their “Star Wars” laser to destroy North Korean drones—and it’s only $1.45 per shot!
South Korea is gearing up to unleash a cost-effective laser weapon that can “Pew! Pew!” North Korean drones. Called Block-I, each shot from this weapon will cost less than two dollars. It can strike down small unmanned aerial vehicles in a matter of seconds. With this new technology, it seems the power of the force is with South Korea, don't you think? Read more
Does the Paris Olympics have a new fashion favorite? Move over Ralph Lauren! It’s all about Mongolia’s Michel&Amazonka this year.
Mongolia has supplanted other nations’ uniforms as the most admired at the Paris Olympics this year, throwing over fan favorites Lululemon, Berluti, and Ralph Lauren. Featuring intricately embroidered vests, pleated robes and accessories inspired by traditional attire, the country’s opening and closing ceremony outfits have taken social media by storm since being unveiled last week. Are Mongolian boots going to be the new “yoga pants” in the workplace? Read more
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